Knitted Wild Animals

Knitted Wild Animals $22.99

15 Adorable, Easy-To-Knit Toys

What can i say, I'm a sucker for toy knits. I can't help it, they're just so cute. And you can make little sweaters for them and dress them up like people. All of the patterns are made with the same yarn, they suggest a worsted weight. It looks like they have used acrylic, but I would prefer Cascade 220 Superwash or if you want a yummier knitting experience Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran or Dream in Color Classy.

The projects include an elephant, giraffe, zebra, tiger, lion, crocodile, monkey, snake, hippo, rhino, panda, wharthog (poor, neglect warthog), koala, penguin, and the cliche mascot of Canadian national identity, the moose (he gets a red sweater with a maple leaf).  I think I am smitten with the hippo, giraffe, and monkey.

On a personal note, I especially like this book because it has a pile of jungle animals, and my brother and sister-in-law are decorating their soon to be baby's nursery in jungle themed sheets. And also because monkeys are funny.  Infact, they are so beloved that the Monkey pattern in this book is available online for FREE! I think I will make one for my niece/nephew in progress and dress it in a sweater. 

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!

Wool Toys & Friends

Wool Toys & Friends

Step-by-Step Instructions for Needle Felting Fun $24.99

There's been a  lot of interest in Needle Felting lately and if you are among the throngs you're going to want to take a look at this book. It has detailed instructions on how to make 15 ADORABLE little felted projects.  Contents include,  the sock monkey on the cover, a mushroom house (like the kind the smurfs occupy), a picture book, finger puppets, matryoshka dolls (the Russian nesting dolls), an elephant pull toy, a Dala horse (a Swedish thing), and a Japanese doll.  There are lots of other projects too.  

The pictures and directions are clear and easy to follow and there are full scale patters at the back of the book for the few projects that require some cut-out pieces. 

As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!

Stitch 'N Bitch: Superstar Knitting

Stitch 'N Bitch Superstar Knitting 

Go Beyond the Basics $21.95

Finally, the next installment in the Stitch 'N Bitch series is here! This time Debbie Stoller holds your hand as she takes you through a fun lesson on  the more technical and daunting techniques in knitting.  Part 1starts with colour knitting, moves into cables (which I personally think is easier than colour), then lace, embellishments,  and closes with miscellaneous useful technical stuff. Part 2 is all about designing your own pattern, starting with the basics, them moving into DIY drop shoulder sweater design, then raglan and yoke, set in sleeves, and finally teaches you about finished and estimating the amount of yarn required.

The technical illustrations, as always, are easy to understand and follow, and the little pictures illustrating the techniques as a metaphor are super cute.  I worship Debbie Stoller for her ability to write a technical book that reads like a long letter from your best friend.  Seriously, people who learn with her books have a very fast learning curve, we recommend her first book, Stitch 'N Bitch, to all or our beginners. 

The patterns are in section 3, conveniently located at the back so it's easy to find them.  There are some truly fun patterns, my favorites include:

• Steeks and Stones, a fair isle skully cardigan
• The Aquatic Life, a cute fair isle pullover with fishies (gotta love fishies!)
• Skull Isle Socks, fair isle socks with skullies
• Gretel Tam by Ysolda Teague, a gorgeous cabled beret (I made it a few years ago)
• Saxon the City, thigh-high stockings with a full celtic motif up the sides
• Beatrice Gloves, I don't normally go in for beading, but these are like vintage, blingy Isotoners
• Dress to Impress, an adorable baby tunic/dress using the very easy slip stitch colour technique

Even if you don't like the projects, the books is wonderful for the instruction alone (it would make a great gift for someone who wants to move up the skills ladder). 


As always, you can find us at knitomatic.com!